YearToAvoid

2011 Dodge Avenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2011 Dodge Avenger has a complaint index of 38, ranking 6th out of 9 model years, and earns a "Good" verdict relative to other Avenger years. It has 209 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and its top problem area is the Engine.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
38/100
#6 of 9 Avenger years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
209
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
14
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
6
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2009
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 29 hwy
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Top 2011 Dodge Avenger problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other57 (27%)
  2. Engine50 (24%)
  3. Electrical System44 (21%)
  4. Airbags35 (17%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers24 (11%)
  6. Seat Belts20 (10%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (8%)
  8. Brakes16 (8%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain14 (7%)
  10. Steering10 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash situations, including impacts at 35 to 55 mph, sometimes with injuries reported.
  • The engine reportedly accelerated on its own while exiting a driveway, with the brake pedal failing to slow the vehicle before it struck a post.
  • Owners describe the hood latch failing after a prior hood replacement, allowing the hood to fly open while driving.
  • The steering wheel reportedly locked up while turning, causing a crash into a fence at low speed.
  • Wheel bearings reportedly wore out repeatedly within short intervals, contributing to a loss of control in one crash.
  • One owner reported the engine jerking and losing power along with warning lights, followed by a battery cable box burning.
2011 Dodge Avenger complaints: complaints filed per quarter152011 Q42013 Q22015 Q12016 Q32018 Q12019 Q32021 Q12023 Q2
209 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2025 Q4; peak 2017 Q4 (15).

2011 Dodge Avenger recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V668000Sep 15, 2016Airbags1,435,625 vehicles

    Air bags

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

    Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

  2. NHTSA 13V282000Jul 2, 2013Airbags442,320 vehicles

    Air bags

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.

  3. NHTSA 11V315000Jun 8, 2011Steering11,096 vehicles

    Steering:column

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, jeep wrangler, chrysler 200, chrysler 200 convertible, dodge avenger, dodge nitro, jeep liberty, dodge caliber, jeep compass, jeep patriot, dodge grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.

    Risk: A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 4, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

2011 Dodge Avenger fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Avenger years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200720082009201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Good2567222
2010Caution63163322
2011Good38209323
2012Avoid88553323
2013Avoid75548523

All Dodge Avenger years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Dodge Avenger a good year?
Relative to other Avenger model years, the 2011 is rated "Good." It has a complaint index of 38, which ranks 6th out of 9 years, well below the worst year, 2008, at an index of 100.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA complaints point to the Engine (24% of complaints) and Electrical System (21%) as the top problem areas, followed by Airbags at 17% of complaints.
Does the 2011 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Avenger, covering airbag occupant restraint control issues (two separate campaigns) and a steering column pivot rivet issue.
How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2011 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA lists 209 complaints for the 2011 Dodge Avenger, including 14 crashes, 2 fires, and 6 injuries, with no reported deaths.
What is the median mileage for engine failures in the 2011 Avenger?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 74,552.5 miles at the time engine problems were reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.